South Africa vs England 4th Test – 24/1/2020

South Africa vs England 4th Test – Team News

The big news that came out of the South African camp during the third Test was the suspension of Rabada. He accumulated too many demerit points after an overzealous celebration of Joe Root‘s wicket in Port Elizabeth. He, therefore, will have to miss this match before probably returning for the upcoming ODI series against England.

Rabada will likely be replaced in the XI by all-rounder Andile Phehlukwayo or left-arm seamer Beuran Hendricks. The selection of Phehlukwayo would also bolster the Proteas’ batting. Hendricks doesn’t offer much with the bat.

Zubayr Hamza might miss out. He hasn’t really been making the number three berth his own. With Keegan Petersen and Temba Bavuma waiting in the wings, the pressure is on Hamza. Bavuma welcomed a career-best 180 in South African franchise cricket recently to push his case for a recall. Captain Faf du Plessis is also under the pump. He hasn’t hit a Test ton in over a year and has fallen cheaply time and time again in this series. Talk is rife about the end of Faf’s career.

England will likely go into the match with an unchanged XI. They might be tempted to rotate the fast bowlers. Chris Woakes and Jofra Archer are waiting for the opportunity. The temptation to rest Stuart Broad would probably be greater if Anderson was there.

Dom Sibley and Zak Crawley are certainly looking the part at the top of the order, which will make Rory Burns’ attempt to get back into the XI that much harder when he has recovered from injury. In the middle order, Ollie Pope has been solid – and his maiden Test century in Port Elizabeth was a treat to watch.

Dom Bess was in outstanding at St George’s Park as well, so much so that he should quieten suggestion that England should play with an all-pace attack in Johannesburg. Even if Root fancies himself as more than occasional spinner, a specialist slow bowler in Bess is still a near must at the Wanderers.

South Africa vs England 4th Test – Betting Tips

A few changes to the South African XI, in particular, will make for some intriguing markets. Root and Broad, if not Ben Stokes, are the ones to watch at the Wanderers as well.

Hendricks at his home ground

If the Proteas don’t pull in Phehlukwayo for Rabada, then Hendricks is the one that’ll be top in the popular betting markets. Having moved from the Cape Cobras in Cape Town to the Lions in Johannesburg, he has collected plenty of experience at the Wanderers. Unlike Dane Paterson in PE, Hendricks is a better pick to convert decent success at T20I and ODI level to more good results on Test debut. Hendricks at 4.33 to be South Africa’s top bowler in Johannesburg is a good bet, especially if he can replicate – and better – the consistency of fellow left-arm seamer Sam Curran of England.

Broad back for more four years later

England’s last visit to the Wanderers for a Test was in 2016, when they beat South Africa comfortably on the back of a Player of the Match performance from Broad. He exploited conditions superbly, landing two wickets in the first innings and six in the second. At 3.00 to be England’s top bowler in Johannesburg, Broad is a good choice. Root, who scored a ton in that same 2016 Test, isn’t a bad bet at 3.25 to be England’s top batter.

South Africa vs England 4th Test – Prediction

Head coach Mark Boucher’s men have endured a hang of a downward spiral since victory in the series opener. They promised better in Cape Town, only to lapse in Port Elizabeth. Johannesburg probably isn’t going to bring a turn in fortune or results.

Best Bet: Stuart Broad to be England’s top bowler at 3.00 with Betway